Power adapter mounting assembly

• US 6,190,199 B1
• Filed: 04/07/1999
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radio Design Labs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Clump Corporation
• Inventors: Bump, Joel G., Wilcox, Hugh T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zarroli, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US09/287,725
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540.1, 439/716, 439/532, 439/650, 439/653, 439/214, 439/574, 439/371, 439/651, 439/652, 439/719, 439/502
• US Class Current: 439/540.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

Apparatus for operatively coupling a plurality of electronic devices each being of the type that includes a plug-in power adapter to an a.c. power supply. A power strip is plugged into an a.c. outlet. The power strip includes a plurality of female receptacles longitudinally aligned at a surface of an elongated housing. The power adapters are fixed to an elongated surface of a bracket by means of relatively-short shuttle conductor cords. The shuttle cords are interconnecting, at their opposed ends, to the receptacles of the power strip and the male plugs of the power adapters which are held in place, adjacent one another, affixed to the surface of an elongated bracket.

Claims

1. Apparatus for operatively coupling at least one electronic device of the type that includes an associated plug-in power adapter to an a.c. power outlet comprising, in combination:

a) a power strip, said strip including a plurality of female receptacles aligned along a surface of a strip housing;

b) a bracket;

c) means for affixing said power adapter to said bracket;

d) a shuttle conductor cord having a female receptacle and a male plug affixed to its opposed ends; and

e) said male plug of said cord being coupled to a receptacle of said power strip and said female receptacle of said cord being coupled to said male plug of said power adapter.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for affixing includes an elongated tie having interlockable opposed end members.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 further including apertures within said bracket arranged to receive said tie.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 further including:

a) said bracket comprising a generally-elongated rectangular surface; and

b) a plurality of apertures aligned along a major axis of said surface.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including:

a) means for adhesively fixing a power adapter to said bracket; and

b) said means for adhesively fixing being located at said surface intermediate adjacent pairs of aligned apertures.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for adhesively fixing comprises a strip having opposed adhesive surfaces.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for adhesively fixing comprises a strip having opposed surfaces of adhesive and hook-like materials.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 further including at least one guide clip fixed to said bracket.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said guide clip includes a generally c-shaped section for receiving a conductor.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 further characterized in that:

a) said apertures are of elongated shape; and

b) said apertures are arranged so that their major axes are aligned with the major axis of said generally-rectangular surface of said bracket.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket further includes:

a) a generally-rectangular major planar member; and

b) means for spacing said member from a mounting surface.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for spacing further includes:

a) an edge member; and

b) said edge members being or progenal to said surface.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for spacing includes a plurality of feet affixed orthogonal to said surface.